Guest Participants:

It is rare for so many of us, in so many places, to be cursed, as the Chinese say, to be living in interesting times. So much for ‘The end of history’: 2016 will go down in it as being one of the most tumultuous in modern memory.

If business likes predictability, then 2016 must also be classed as an annus hiorribilis for the corporate world. The result of the UK referendum has created deep uncertainty, not just in Britain but across the EU. The shape of the future relationship between the two is unknowable, and the impact of losing its most free-trade, market-oriented member could have a profound impact on the EU.

Of course, to offset all this, there was at least one bright spot for Canadian businesses: the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, with the EU. There is no doubt that this offers Canadian and EU companies substantial new trading and investment opportunities. A European market of 430m consumers has immediately becomes a priority for Canada the moment that it comes in to force – which will most probably before the end of February 2018. And more opportunity awaits on the other side of the English Channel: post-Brexit UK has made no secret of its need to secure trade agreements with a range of new countries once it is out of the EU, probably in 2019. Given its economic heft, common language and historical connections, Canada is high on the list of targets.

In this context, Fasken Martineau is bringing together a group of experts for a discussion on the complex political and commercial interplay between Brexit, the EU and Canada. Daniel Brock (Partner) from Fasken Martineau, along with James Hunt (Managing Partner) and Jeff Townsend (Head of UK Public Affairs) from Aspect Consulting will present the view from Ottawa, London and Brussels. Aspect's close relationship with the UK’s Department for International Trade as well as deep understanding of Brussels gained from 13 years’ experience in EU lobbying gives them a unique vantage point on the cross-channel tensions.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Note: The hours from this non-accredited seminar may be applied towards the 9 Substantive Hours of annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) required by the Law Society of Upper Canada for Ongoing Members. Please note that this seminar is not accredited for Professionalism Hours and cannot be counted for New Members or for Professionalism Hours for Ongoing Members.